Our Day at the Rink

We just finished Day 2 of Cole's first tournament as a member of the, let me get this right, Oakville Rangers Minor Pee Wee ('97) AE Team.

Our boys are doing really well. They have won all three of the games they've played. First was on Friday against the Humber Valley Sharks (5-2); today - Saturday - against the Applewood Coyotes (5-3) and Agincourt Canadiens (10-1). They're really playing well as a team trying to figure out where to be and listening to the coaches. To see the standings you can go here.

Tomorrow morning we head back to the arena for a game against the Clarkson Hurricanes at 10:15 and possibly, if they win, into the Championship Game at 3PM.

As with all sport they have found their fair share of adversity: they lost one player to a hit from behind for the remainder (majority) of a game; their Captain gone for two games due to a penalty; another player received three minor penalties in a row; another is missing the game tomorrow morning as he is his soccer goalie; Cole forgot how to give a hit and be physical (which is a requirement of the sport) until game 3. There have also been plenty of moments of pure brilliance! What a great bunch of kids. And their fans are wonderful, too.

My parents came out to the second game today. I think it was a thrill for them to see Cole in action as well as the calibre of play. With both of them having non-hockey-playing daughters, this is a bit of a departure for them. The play was solid; the refereeing questionable (as with every game, every level, ever); the parents and families LOUD; the arena was very cold and the hot chocolate tasty (surprise!) and most welcome.

We enjoyed the win and then we all headed off to the local Swiss Chalet for dinner. What a lovely time. We were joined by Cole's teammate, Thomas, and his mum and sisters. Very fun. The dinner conversation went from politics (American and Canadian) to sport to school to kids activities to traveling to possible (though I think doubtful!) pending retirement to iPods to the opening of Frozen Ropes to when and where we grew up to how much fun the game was to watch.

The storm has arrived as we said our goodbyes. After a long and soggy drive home we are now settled in for the evening.

Anxious to do it all again tomorrow!

(My apologies for any typos or gramatical errors. I'm pooped. Going to crash on the couch with a glass of wine and watch the end of the Red Sox/Blue Jays game!)